Spider-Man has been featured in many great video games over the years, from older side-scrollers like Maximum Carnage to innovative titles like Spider-Man 2 and truly excellent superhero games like Marvel’s Spider-Man. Even the less successful games, such as The Amazing Spider-Man 2, have some redeeming qualities and can be enjoyable for dedicated fans. However, this discussion focuses on games released for home consoles. Spider-Man games on handheld devices haven’t generally been very memorable, and you could argue that the character still hasn’t had a truly standout portable adventure.
While Peter Parker’s adventures on handheld consoles haven’t quite reached the heights of his home console games, there are still some really good ones. It’s often hard to appreciate them, though, because many share titles with the more popular console versions, leading to unfair comparisons and making them easily forgotten. If you’re looking for Spider-Man games to play on the go, here are his best portable titles.
We’re only including Spider-Man games originally made for handheld consoles. That means no games that are playable on devices like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, and no games where you play as a team with other heroes.
6. Spider-Man: Friend Or Foe (PSP)
Provides Colorful Looks At Many Classic Spidey Villains
| Release date | October 2, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Handheld platforms | PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS |
| Developer | Artificial Mind & Movement |
As a big Spider-Man fan, I really enjoyed Friend or Foe! It’s a super fun beat ’em up that’s perfect for kids, and it’s packed with all sorts of classic Spidey baddies. The story is about these weird creatures called P.H.A.N.T.O.M.s, and Spider-Man has to team up with some unlikely allies to stop them. There’s a ton of fighting, but also a little bit of a mystery to keep you hooked, making it a really enjoyable game to play.
Let’s be realistic: this game is a straightforward beat ’em up. Its main appeal comes from unlocking characters, many of which you have to buy. While there are a lot of characters to collect, adding some replay value, you can finish everything the game offers in just a few hours. The fighting is simple, mostly just punching and kicking with some basic combos. Unfortunately, the attacks don’t feel very impactful, and the characters don’t control all that differently from each other, despite slight variations. To be clear, Friend or Foe on PSP is okay for what it is, and the idea behind it would work well in a game like Marvel Ultimate Alliance. However, this game doesn’t quite live up to that level.
The Nintendo DS version isn’t as good as the PSP version of Friend or Foe. If you can, definitely play the home console version. But if you only have a handheld option, the PSP version is the way to go.
5. Spider-Man: Battle For New York
An Action-Packed Look At The Ultimate Universe
| Release date | November 14, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Handheld platforms | Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance |
| Developer | Torus Games |
This story, Battle for New York, is a prequel to Ultimate Spider-Man and focuses on the ongoing rivalry between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. The plot revolves around Norman Osborn’s dangerous Oz Formula being unleashed on the citizens of New York City.
Now that a large group of dangerous goblins are causing chaos in the city, Spider-Man must stop his longtime enemy, the Green Goblin. What’s new is that players can actually play as the Green Goblin, which is a huge thrill for fans of the villain. The game on the DS is an easy-to-enjoy action-adventure, made even better by its fun characters and a cameo appearance by The Ultimates.
4. Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows
An Intriguing, Symbiote-Focused Mystery
| Release date | October 21, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Handheld platforms | PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS |
| Developer | Griptonite Games, Amaze Entertainment |
The portable versions of this Spider-Man game, where your choices matter, play quite differently. The PSP version of Web of Shadows especially feels unique because it uses 2.5D graphics, which changes how the game is played.
The PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS versions of the game tell the story in slightly different ways, though unfortunately, they have fewer possible endings. Even with that drawback, both handheld versions still deliver a thrilling experience in a Manhattan overrun by symbiotes. The DS version adds unexpected allies, including the X-Men hero Nightcrawler and, surprisingly, the Green Goblin. With lots of opportunities to fight Spider-Man’s classic villains, Web of Shadows is an exciting game whether you play it on a console or handheld.
The console version of Web of Shadows is a completely separate game from the versions on PSP and DS – it’s not simply a less powerful version of the same experience. This was a common practice with Spider-Man games at the time, and it could be a little confusing because the different versions were actually quite distinct.
3. Ultimate Spider-Man
A Must-Play For Fans Of The Comic Book Series
| Release date | September 22, 2005 |
|---|---|
| Handheld platforms | Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, Mobile phone |
| Developer | Vicarious Visions, Mforma |
Since it first came out, the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man has become very popular with viewers. The show features a unique visual style inspired by the artwork in the original comic books, and it tells the story of Peter Parker as he fights crime in a different version of the Marvel Universe.
The Game Boy Advance version of the game wasn’t a huge hit, but the Nintendo DS version really delivered. It features a strong story with many familiar Spider-Man characters, both heroes and villains, keeping players engaged. You don’t just play as Peter Parker; you also get to control Venom, Eddie Brock’s powerful alter-ego, which adds variety to the gameplay and action.
Just like with Web of Shadows, the Ultimate Spider-Man game on DS and GBA is quite different from the version you’d play on a home console. The console game is a great open-world experience with enjoyable combat. The handheld version isn’t as expansive, but it’s still a fun Spider-Man game to play on the go.
2. Spider-Man 2 (PSP)
A Genuine Attempt At A Portable Version Of The PS2 Classic
| Release date | March 23, 2005 |
|---|---|
| Handheld platforms | PSP |
| Developer | Vicarious Visions |
We’ve discussed several handheld Spider-Man games that, despite having the same titles as their console counterparts, were noticeably different and less elaborate. However, Vicarious Visions truly excelled by creating a PSP version of Spider-Man 2 that faithfully recreated the console experience, with comparable combat, environments, and visuals.
To be clear, this game is built specifically for the PSP and differs from the console versions by using traditional levels instead of an open world. These levels do offer open areas that let you swing around like in the original PS2 game. While the lack of a second analog stick makes controlling the camera a bit tricky, Spider-Man 2 is still a very fun and impressive game.
While Spider-Man 2 is a fantastic game, it’s hard for it to stand above the widely beloved PlayStation 2 version. That’s the only thing holding it back from being number one.
1. Spider-Man: Mysterio’s Menace
Provides A Great Showcase Of The Titular Villain
| Release date | September 18, 2001 |
|---|---|
| Handheld platforms | Game Boy Advance |
| Developer | Vicarious Visions |
Picking up where Enter Electro left off, this fast-paced game has Spider-Man battling seven different villains. Featuring cool cutscenes designed like comic book panels, Mysterio’s Menace tells a simple story of Spider-Man stopping a surge of crime in a single night.
Spider-Man faces off against classic villains like Electro, Rhino, Hammerhead, and Mysterio in this game. Like many handheld games from that era, Mysterio’s Menace is a side-scrolling platformer. It’s a simple but enjoyable game and a solid addition to the early 2000s Spider-Man series.
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2025-12-06 23:06